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Fiji and Papua New Guinea have set the stage for tourism and external trade with the signing of an aviation deal.
The Memorandum of Understanding signed on September 9 would mean more flying capacities for the two countries’ respective airlines – Air Pacific and Air Niugini, said Fiji acting Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Civil Aviation, Isikeli Mataitoga.
“What is still left to discuss is the beyond points, but the MOU is important because of internal trade and services infrastructure for external trade. We need to shorten our departure to the markets,” said Mataitoga.
Mataitoga said the MOU on air services initialed in Port Moresby last December to allow direct travel between Nadi and Port Moresby instead of people going through Brisbane.
PNG’s acting Director General Economic and Development Cooperation Division of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Jimmy Ovia said the airfares itself is much cheaper than going to Australia for their people and PNG maintains a very cordial relationship with Fiji.
“Air Niugini is PNG Government-owned and we have two big planes for international routes such as Japan, Hong Kong, Australia and seven F100 that comes to Nadi."
